Through this tour you will be intrigued with the charm of Buddhist statuary, which represents people's wishes and prayers. Figures of statues vary according to the development of eras from Asuka period to Muromachi period. At the same time you can visit Nara Park, where you can feed deer. Also you can visit a nice sake tasting place after the tour if you like.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station
Kohfukuji Temple and its national treasure museum
Nara Park ( You can enjoy feeding rice-bran crackers to deer.)
Isuien Garden, a strolling-style landscape garden with two different types of gardens built in different ages.
Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall, Nigatsu-do Hall and Hokke-do Hall )
Kasuga Grand Shrine ( Strolling in the cedar forest is very cool and refreshing. )
Local sake tasting at a sake brewery in Nara Machi
Ending Point
Kintetsu Nara Station or JR Nara Station
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
guide fee
lunch, entrance fee ( ¥2900) for Kohfukuji Temple ( the national treasure house ) Isuien Garden and Todaiji Temple ( the Great Buddha Hall and Hokke-do Hall ) and local sake tasting (¥500) at the sake brewery.
This is a walking tour and it is desirable that you wear walking shoes or sneakers. A pet bottle of water is to be carried with you.
It is desirable to carry overseas travel insurance because the guide is not liable for any damage or loss incurred during the tour. It is also requested to bring enough Japanese yen with you because some restaurants and taxis do not accept credit cards.
Hi. My name is Yoshihisa. Call me "Yoshie", please. It means good or O.K. in Japanese. I live in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, located just in between Kyoto and Nara. I was born and raised in Iga, Mie Prefecture. Iga is a birthplace of ninja and a renowned haiku poet, Matsuo Basho. I might be a descendant of ninja. I aim at becoming a linguistic ninja, following a part of Basho's lifestyle with the incorporation of seasonal changes into my tours. In addition to visiting famous temples and shrines, I invite you to lesser-known places of historic interest.
Once in a month I go hiking or mountain climbing with some friends mainly in mountains surrounding Kyoto and Nara basins. Recently I have got intrigued by the charms of Buddhist statues, which are manifestations of people's wishes and prayers. I also like izakaya (Japanese-style taverns) hopping, tasting delicious dishes and locally brewed sake at reasonable prices. Especially I like communicating with people from home and abroad, talking face to face. Some of the above-mentioned elements are included in my walking tours. I hope you will discover new aspects of cultural and natural beauty in Kansai area through one of my tours which you could never gain otherwise.
One of my favorite phrases that come from Zen Buddhism is Ichigo Ichie or this meeting-but only once in a lifetime. My interpretation goes this way: This place and this moment never cross again. Each and every good encounter, however, lingers on like the sound of a temple bell. Won't you explore a deeper world of Japanese culture in Kyoto, Nara and Osaka with me?
Jeff S.
“Couldn’t Imagine Kyoto Without Yoshie ”
Yoshie was the sweetest man, who won our hearts when he gave my daughter origami his wife made for her to start the trip. We saw so much in 1 day, and his “Golden Route” efficiently hit all the stops we wanted. He has great knowledge of Japan’s history and culture, and he knew the best spots to get brilliant photos. He also took us to a superb restaurant for lunch we wouldn’t have found on our own. He had energy in spades and you could tell he loves his tour guide work.
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Jeff. Thank you so much for your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you had a wonderful tour with me in spite of the terrible heat. I hope you will return home with lots of nice memories of Japan. Ichigo Ichie. Yoshie
Dominika V.
“Great tour of Kyoto during the summer heat! ”
Thanks for the great tour Yoshie! Yoshie took our group for the Golden route tour- he was very friendly and accommodating, as well as very knowledgeable of the areas we were touring. Yoshie also helped us to take some photos during the tour and showed us some interesting spots for photos. Yoshie took us to his recommended restaurant for lunch and Izakaya for dinner. Both times the food was delicious. Thank you to his wife for the origami cranes, they were beautifully made! Thank you again Yoshie, all the best for the future!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Dominika. I appreciate your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I also had a very pleasant time guiding and talking with you all. I am glad that you liked the food at the lunch restaurant and the izakaya for dinner. I hope our paths will cross again someday in the near future. With the best wishes. Yoshie
Tamara S.
“A wonderful Kyoto tour with a great guide!”
We had an incredible experience exploring Kyoto with Yoshie! From start to finish, he was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely professional. He shared fascinating historical and cultural insights that really brought each site to life, and his passion for Kyoto was truly contagious. Highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience the heart and soul of Kyoto!
Yoshihisa T.
Hi Tamara. I really appreciate your excellent review for my tour in Kyoto. I am very pleased to learn that you and your family enjoyed visiting each and every site through the tour. I hope you have returned safely with lots of good memories of Japan. With best wishes. Yoshie
$237/ per group